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IMPORTANT 

INDIAN MANUSCRIPTS, 

. R^eirience to the* 
. figures; 

1. The, white men 
who have been trad- 
ingatthe four lakes, 
quarrelled. 

2. The white man 
killed his comrade. 

3. They will use 
deception and blind 
our eyes. 

4. His wife has 
concealed him. 

5. The long knives 
(or white men will 
take revenge upon 

I the Indians &; strike 
us, to the earth. 

6. On the sixth day 
of the moon or July 
,2d. at ten o'clock, 

this murder was 
done. 

"Explanation of the above cut, See page 7." 

Translated by Z,. S. BACKUS, 

f Pbofessob op the Sign Language, Editor of the 
Canajoharie Radii, <fec. 

, CANAJOHARIE, N. Y. : 
Phixted and Sold b\ the ArrnoK, 




1840. 






,vvl 



e^iU^ 5"bl3 



L 



The principal events herein recorded are 
true. 

The mnrder is yet remembered by many 
persons. One of the actors was put upon 
his trial for the murder of his partner at 
Prairie du Chien and was acquitted. 

The violent, and we might almost say, in- 
sane attachment, which the Indian Woman 
has for the white man who has honored her 
with the title of ivife, is neither new, nor ia 
it unnatural as may be seen by the sequel. 



P^ 



INTRODUCTION. 

It may not occur to the reader at the first glance the im- 
portant interest of this manuscript to the public — even the 
small portion which we have transcribed. To the linguist 
it offers a wide field of speculation. 

The efforts of the mind to communicate important events 
to distant friends is here developed. It shows how the sav- 
age when driven by necessity, can perpetuate a record of 
his actions, or those of his enemies in characteristic emb- 
lems. To the antiquarian, even this small scrap must provo 
a source of gratification. In this he will see the hieroglyph. 
ic3 of the Egyptians ; he will assimilate the wood engra- 
ving of the Chinese to the etching on the tree. The ima- 
gination will be carried back to the time when the nations 
of this country recorded the deeds of their chiefs and war- 
riors in a symbolical language. 

A written language is one of the first signs of the prog- 
ress of a nation to civization ; and when a people are re- 
trogading to barbarity, it is their learning which first suffers 
revolutions— obscurity and final extinction. 

We are informed that several specimens of pictorial Ian- 
guage are found with the Western Indians, and that the 
declaration of war between the United States and Great 
Britain in 1812, was etched on trees in such characters 
that the Indians from Lake Erie to the Falls of St. Antho- 
ny, not only knew the belligerent attitude of the two na- 
tions ; but a faithful record of the causes which were sup- 
posed to lead to the rupture, v/as communicated therewith. 
Those records were placed in the principal places and re- 
sorts where the Indians were known to eongi'egate ; thus 
the portage of the Wisconsin where this scrap we publish 
was taken, is a point eminently quaUficd for the deposite of 
important information — at that place, the Fox river ap- 



4 INTRODUCTION. 

proaches within less than a mile of the Wisconsin, and 
both diverging in different directions — one discharging its 
waters into the Gulf of Mexico, via. the Mississippi, and 
the other into the St. Lawrence by the lakes. It was a 
thoroughfare in which the nations were expected to pass 
daily going in every direction. How important was it 
then that each member of the tribe should be informed of 
the danger and the attendant circumstances which encom- 
passed them ! Had they no knowledge of symbolic com- 
munication, necessity would drive them into some similar 
measure. 

To the admirers of romantic incidents, this story exem. 
plifies what has often been asserted, that " truth is stranger 
than fiction ;" and it may bring to view in faint outhnes 
the pecuhar characteristics of singular beings which pioneer 
the "great west." The traders and trappers are men of 
no ordinary capacity — -generally they compose a body of 
desperate characters, who have left the boon of civilization 
either to escape the penalty of the laws, or find the field of 
enterprize too circumscribed for their ambition. Some, 
too, are inveigled into the " Indian country" by the hopes 
of an enjoyment of independent indolence, which they 
soon find is imaginary — as the most tyranical of masters 
they carry with them — their stomachs ! Those persons 
find when it is too late, that more industry must be exert- 
ed to live in that primitive state, than in civilized society, 
and they turn out a set of misanthropic desperadoes, seek- 
ing by every means to cheat the natives or such unsop- 
histicated white men as come within their reach to assist 
them in dragging out a miserable existence. Those men, 
generally, demean themselves below the savages, and live 
near them, or become a kind of supernumerary intei-pret- 
ers — carriers, or servants to the trading establishments. 

It is the Indian trader that is the lion of the forest. 
Among his semi-barbarian confederates and savage custom- 
ers, he is looked up to as the [dispenser of justice — the 
provider of their necessaries ; and as the Indians have now 
become degraded — an indispensible personage amongst 
them. — Without him they could neither feed nor clothe 



INTRODUCTION. O 

themselves ; and his profits are proportioned to the confi- 
dence which the natives place in him ; consequently, there 
is nothing to fear but competition from the white man. 

As the profits are enormous, both on the goods which 
they sell, and the furs which they receive in payment, they 
afford a considerable credit to those Indians with whom 
they place confidence, and endure much inconvenience, 
not only from the isolated condition which they are placed, 
but the vexatious community, that forms their customers 
must be endured with a patience and forbearance, which 
would become a martyr. Consequently, a long acqain- 
tance is of great importance to know where confidence 
may be placed, and on whom his rigid authority and disci- 
pline is to ba exerted. 

The first object which a trader has in view and one in- 
dispensibie, is toconcifiate, and if possible, to get the friend- 
ship of the chief men or leaders of the tribe. That act is 
paramount to the payments of custom-house duties, which, 
if neglected, he might, vv'hen he least expected it, find his 
goods all confiscated. 

The next object with the politic Indian trader is a wife 
from among the most powerful of ^the Indian people. He 
gets by her influence in the tribe, and the most firm at- 
tachment known to the human breast. 

The wife of an Indian is a slave under the most tyrani- 
cal of masters. When the Indian woman has the fortune 
to put herself under the protection of a white man, she 
feels her emancipation in every form. She witnesses the 
degradation of her kindred ; and her own exalted happiness. 
That those Indian women should prove true to the white 
Miait is no more than would be expected-™-that springs 
froni one of the noblest virtues implanted in the human 
jbreast-r— gratitude. 

Hence, Indian traders have found their interest prompt- 
ed them to marry a woman as nearly connected with the 
chiefs or influential men as possible ; and when they ^^•ish. 
ed messages communicated to any of the different posts 
or stations if it was of great importance, they invariably 
fjesjmtched their wives on the mission — which thev sue- 



<5' INTRODUCTION. 

*t>:;sfully execute, or psrisb in the attempt. Thus ! 
trader would despatch as a messenger from Mackinaw t^ 
Prairie du Chien — to St. Peters, or even the head water' 
of the Missouri or Columbia rivers — a lone Indian womac 
who had to pass among strange tribes — known enemier 
and invidious rival traders — desolate countries and wil- 
beasts, such as very few white m^n would dare encounter 
and they have been known to return after years' captivit;' 
among enemies, without once betraying (heir trust. 



The following cut is a fac-simile of an etching on t^ 
bark of a tree, situated at the portage of the Wisconsi 
near where Fort Winnebago now stands. It v/as in a coi. 
spicuous place, and duplicates were afterv/ards found i 
several places throughout the Winnebago naticn. 

The incidents to which this disclosure relates, v/eredetar 
ed to the author of this article by a person who vras pre 
cnt during the interview of the father with his daughte. 
when he demanded either she should discover where ho 
buslmnd was concealed, or suffer death 1 



INDIAN MANUSCRIPT. 7 

Translator's Note. — From the above translation we 
find the facts bear us out fully in the interpretation made, 
above. The question may be asked how we arrive at the 
deductions urged as an explanation of the hieroglyphics? 

The exact time is designated by a stake stuck in the 
ground, as represented at the bottom of the plate, that 
'* POINTS directly" to the place the sun was in the 
heavens which gives the time of day, viz, : 10 o'clock, 
when the murder was perpetrated. 

On that inclined stake is the figure of the moon with the 
marks which give her age. That definitely gives a date 
to the transaction viz. : July 2d. 

At the top of the cut a houscj with four lakes are shown 
which gives the location ; consequently, the names of the 
occupants and the particular form of the hut shows it to 
belong to the whites. 

The next figure as v.e proceed downward is the hat 
and swoRi), which readily conveys, the idea that white 
men arc in deadly strife and one has the victory. 

The hand and the eye. By this figure we learn most 
forcibly that an attempt was made at deception, which 
supposition is fully warranted by subsequent discksurcs. 

The next figure is the woman hiding the hat, v/hich in 
the simple language of the natives showed by her flowing 
hair that she was a wife and her posture ever the hat 
showed she v/as concealing her husband. 

The next and last figure is the sword over the bow. By 
that wo learn that the Indians are about to be extermina- 
ted by the v/hitcs, as the bow represents the natives, and 
t.he sv/ord t:ie long knives or ichites. 

This cut or figure which we have transcribed, and ofTer^ 
ed the above as a translation, was prominently etched on 
the smoothed surface of a small tree, near the Indian trail 
v.'hich the Indians were daily in the habit of passing. 

At a short distance from this primitive telegraph, a fire 
was kindled in an old tree for an index or a beacon to at- 
tract the attention of the passing native. 

The intense interest which this document excited, can 



8 INDIAN MANUSCRIPT. 

only be imagined by those acquainted with the condition 
oi' the Indians. They knew how this would affect them as 
a nation : they knew the people which surrounded them — 
and the object that would induce the whites to impute any 
crime to them for the purpose of exciting a spirit of re- 
venge for the pretext of wresting from the rightful owners 
of the soil — a possession which was so much coveted, yet 
had never been peaceably obtained. 

All that section of country bordering on on the Wiscon- 
sin and extending from the Mississippi to the great lakes, 
had belonged to the Winnebagoes, and held peaceably by 
them until within a few years previous to this occurrence, 
when the whites had discovered that this section of coun- 
try contained the most valuable lead mines in the world, 
and were using every means to dispossess them. 

The whites were composed of squatters, and men of des- 
perate character. What cared they for honor or integrity? 
They belonged to no country! Many of them if caught 
within the pale of the laws, would suffer its penalties. — 
What were the rights of the Indians to them? Their ob- 
ject was money ! The surest and readiest method of ob- 
taining their wishes was to create as much excitement as 
possible ; and could they confirm the story, (which had 
already gained considerable credence,) that the Indians 

HAD KILLED BOTH OF THE TRADERS AT THE FoUR LaKES ; 

THE WHOLE AMERICAN people would have asserted the 
quarrel and speedily revenge the outrage by a war which 
would end in a treaty and a concession of the land which 
these vagabond squatters were so anxious to obtain posses- 
sion. 

Those that knew the truth, and were aware that one of 
the traders had murdered his partner, could gain nothing 
by circulating the report ; while if the guilt could be placed 
on the Indians ; it would add another item to the long ac- 
count, and furnish additional proof why the natives should 
be dispossessed. 

The effect of this information upon the Indians, was to 
create the greatest consternation. They had come in pos- 
session of the truthi and not only knew who wa$ the mur* 



INDIAN MANUSCRIPT. 9 

derer, but the disastrous effects, which the slander would 
have, if suffered to be affixed on the nation. Although they 
might affirm their innocence ; yet it would not be noticed. 
The dead body of one of the traders was to be found in his 
cabin which was surrounded by Indians ; many of whom 
were in the daily habit of visiting the premises of the de- 
ceased and the story would soon gain credence, and their 
guilt fully established, when left to be judged by those who 
wished it might be so- Notwithstanding one alternative, 
and one only remained to be tried to convince the whites 
of their innocence, viz. : to produce the murderer, and 
prove him guilty who they knew was the partner of the 
deceased ; and as he had taken refuge in their nation, it 
was of vital importance that the fugitive should be taken, 
and their innocence established. 

Those simple sons ofjh^ forest knew the important bear- 
ing which the slander imputed to them would have on their 
destiny — and trembled for the result. The vindictive cha- 
racter of the whites and their superior facilities in executing 
their designs ; yet they felt disposed to make every effort 
to place the guilt where it pro])erly belonged viz : upon Pkt- 
EK McNally, who had murdered his friend and partner, 
James Bawmen. 

Yet one great obstacle remained : 

The whites would not believe but a double murder had 
been committed, and McNally equally a victim with his 
partner, until his body was produced either dead or alive. 

In the present condition this could not be easily effected. 
McNally had married and otherwise connected himself 
with the principal chiefs of the Winnebago tribe. He liad 
secured the friendsliip of numberless persons belongiiig to 
the nation, ^^bicahe now looked upon as his protectors : — > 
and, alcove all, he was secreted by his v.'ife ANP ri,ACj:»y 
\^ ith such oonlidants as sui? JvNkw would not betray thw 
triist imposed in them, 

In tliis condition what was to be done } 

A powerful nation encircled ihem who were brooding o. 
yer an awful tragedy which they were willing to believe 
Wlis committed bv the Indians ; and there was no other 



10 AN INDIAN Wii\._^ .. 

resort but to produce the real murderer to show their inno- 
cence* As they dreaded immediate vengeance, and to put 
all their countrymen in possession of the facts, not only was 
it important to place them on the defence, but to bring tha 
felon forward and place in its true light the nature of the 
transaction in the eyes of their vindictive neighbors ; and 
thus render their innocence manifest. 

Hence, the cause why they should have attempted the 
rude telegraph we have copied which was calculated 
to transmit the important information throughout the na- 
tion, and awaken them, to a sonss of their danger. 

This " manuscript" document was otherwise important 
as an aJvertisemant or warrant to cause the arrest of tho 
homocide ; and had the fugitive no friends amongst the In- 
dians, they would have immediately surrendered him to 
justice, nnd exculpated themselves from suspicions, and 
thus explained the mystery. 

The Indians had lenrnci before the danger of harboring 
felons ; and this man knew their character too well to trust 
himself in their power but for one which he knew could nei- 
ther be intimidated by fear, or purchased by wealth to be- 
tray him. 

AN INDIAN WITNESS, 

Upon the Ixinks of the Wisconsin there v^^as a small 
groupe of Indians, consisting of an aged man who Vvore tho 
habiliments of a chief ; two young Indians, an old squaw, 
and a young Indian woman, dressed, in the fashion of tho 
wiiitcS; who bore in her arms a child which appeared near 
the age of one year. The features of the child betrayed 
ti mixture of the European with the aboriginal blood ; and 
it seemed to exhibit a checrfuliness entirely at variance with 
the other part of the groupe, who shovred a gloomy cast of 
feature.:}, uncommon, even to native Americans. It was 
readily discovered that somo unpleasant ceremony was a- 
bout to take place. 

Th'3 old man motioned to the young woman to com?? 
near him, who advanced within a a few yards — when a ri- 
iU v/aii produced and. thoroughly examiuod ;, tl\Q formalitieti 



of cleansing the gun and adjusting the flint was performed, 
when a chai-ge of powder and ball was placed in it, while 
the greatest care was taken to show the woman that thcso 
preparations were perfect and properly arranged. 

While these death-like indications were in progress, the 
stern eye and rigid features of the father, (for such the 
chief proved to be) appeared resolved upon some desperate 
act which called the attention of all the attendants except 
the woman and child : the former stood before him with u 
countenance resigned : she fixed her eye upon the child, 
and totally disdained to bestow the least notice on the prep- 
arations of the rifle, although it was readily discovered that 
it was to intimidate her that so much ceremony v.as observ- 
ed in charging the piece. 

After a few moments spent in silent contemplation cf 
the woman, the chief advanced and mxOticned to take the 
child, when she bestowed a single kiss upon its forehead, 
and advanced to a small bush near by, placed*'it upon the 
ground, and plucked some branches which grev/ near — col- 
lected a fev/ flowers and such trifles as could readily be ob- 
tained, placed them in the hands of the child, resumc-d her 
place before her father, to all appearance, the least aflccted 
of the party. The rifle was at this juncture, resting against 
a tree ; but when the woman had dispcsed of the child, the 
father took it in hio hands, assured himself that it v>-as in 
good condition : he gave it to one of the attendants, who 
immediately pointed it tov/ards the v/oman's breast, only a 
few yardt^ distant ; and the sudden click of the Icck gave 
notice of the last act of preparation for the discharge cf the 

Few cars can immoveably receive the sharp sound v;hich 
is made by fire-arms in the preparatrry snap of the lock 
when the range of its barrel is brought to bear upon the 
body ; but this vv'cman heeded it not, althcugh not a per- 
son present but f^huddered in expectation of the report and 
the writhing virtirr" : yet this woman showed no outward 
Rigns that ther:'^ [T'^r-rations implicated her existence, al- 
tbcugb, she hncv the knell for her earthly departure had 
ecunded ; and, in all probability, an instant mcro and her 



12 AN INDIAN WITNESS. 

fate would be irrevocably sealed. Yet she heeded not all 
this : her eyes were bent upon the child, showing with ma- 
ternal glances, a recognition of its innocent amusement and 
her scorn for their preparations. 

At length, the old chief finding the young woman could 
not be intimidated by the rido being presented to her breast, 
he took it from the young Indian, and, advancing with a 
stern countenance, he addressed her in language, as fol- 
lows : — 

" My daughter, I have now come to the determination, 
that only on one condition will you ever move from this 
place alive ! However unpleasant it may be, I feel duty 
calls upon me to seek your life, unless you point to me the 
place where McNally, your husband, is concealed ! He is 
a murderer ! He has arisen upon his brother — and taken 
his life ! and not content with slaying his comrade, he de- 
ceives his countrymen, and throws the disgrace up- 
on the innocent Indians ; and while our friends are hunted 
i» the prairies like the deer, as the assassin of Bamer, you 
liave concealed him — you connived at his crime, and are e- 
qualiy or more guilty, as you see by that infamous decep- 
tion no quarter is shown our people by the merciless intru- 
ders upon the lands of the red men ; but they rejoice at a pre- 
text to kill and destroy the friendless Indians that they may 
occupy the lands, and drive us from the face of the earth. 

'' My child, it grieves me, but I am under the stern ne- 
-cessity of requiring this sacrifice. You must comply. You 
must show the lurking-pkice of your husband, or your life 
must pay the forfeit. Our people demand it, and justly too, 
iliat you shall show whore tlie murderer is concealed. 

" What have the white men done since their first landing 
in this happy country ? Wliat has become of the towns 
and villages of the red men who once lived here? Where 
are the nations that once inhabited this country? WHio 
haii been tiie enemv of tlie red men, and have eome here 
and robbed us of our lands — made wars upon us, even to 
extermination : and brought vices Avhich wore unknown to 
us before ? Sought by di.ssentions to divide and destroy us^ 
who had never known or injured them — and are not yet 



AN INDIAN WITNESS. IS 

contented but commit crimes among themselves ; and 
strive with a fiendish cunning to throw the disgrace upon 
us that they may have some pretext for continuing their 
murders and robberies upon us. What chance have we for 
justice ? Under what disadvantages do we not labor. If 
an Indian kills or robs a white man, in a few days the sto- 
ry is printed in thousands of places, and is known to all 
their people : — revenge is in their power, and none durst 
raise an arm to avert their dreaded resistance ; but if the 
poor Indian is killed, would they believe or render justice to 
his friends or relatives ? Would they give up the murderer 
to be dealt with according to the usages of our nation ? 
No ! They would insult the emissaries of justice with, 

"Go away, you are an Indian !" 

" My daughter the wrongs which we sustain from the 
whites are many. They force us from our hunting grounds, 
from our mines, our corn fields, and our fisheries. Is that 
done because they have none? Have they not posses- 
sion of all the country from the sea to the Mississippi ? and 
yet they wish for more — and they want all — that the Indians 
may have none. They have succeeded in debasing us 
below the brutes of the forest, and now they wish to exter- 
minate us. They are not satisfied with the effect of the 
vices which are introduced amongst us — that mode of des- 
truction is too tardy — wars, famine and persecution must 
be added, and those destroyers of your people, your friends 
and relatives you strive to befriend and exculpate from 
crimes which, you hwzo thej^ are guilty of committing. 

Your husband brought whiskey in our nation — when the 
Indian drank of it he became addicted to its use, and then 
became a vagabond on the earth ; yet you wish to preserve 
his life, that he may bring more misery upon our nation. 

" Why do you wish to conceal the man that would mur- 
der his partner ? Are you not in danger of falling beneath 
his vengeance ? The man that would kill his friend and 
partner, only waits for an opportunity to destroy his wife. 
Such persons have no love nor affection for their kindred — 
even the meanest reptile that crawls upon the earth, has 
more fellow-feehng — for they burrow together in harmony. 



14 AN INDIAN WITNESS. 

If you have no regard for yourself, you owe some respect 
to our nation : and, so long as he is concealed amongst us, 
the whites will ascribe the murder of both to the Indians — 
and will they 1)3 idle ? Will they not take vengeance on 
every one they can find ? How m.any have already fallen 
before their hunters, we know not. The time is precious: 
we know not what plans they arc forming to destroy us ; 
yet, by disclosing where he is, we shall avert the calamity. 
By concealing him, you show contempt for your nation 
and relatives ; as the white men will believe we have mur- 
dered both the traders, and will punish the innocent for 
protecting the guilty. 

"I S3ek not your life ; — our people do not demand it ; 
but, with justice, they ask you to deliver them from the ig- 
nominy and danger which the enraged whites will visit up- 
on them; if you persist in concealing the murderer. 

" My daughter, there is no alternative : our chiefs in 
council demand the murderer, not your life but your father 
thinks if you prefer the society of a villain to your kin- 
dred, you are unworthy of his protection. 

" Therefore prepare and decide immediately ; and do 
not delay until too late, as you may rely upon the truth of 
-our assertions." 

The old chief called upon her in the most afioctionato 
terms to comply, and surrender her husband ; but she reject- 
ed with scorn all such overtures. Stepping out before them, 
«hc spoke in real native eloquence, to the following effect. 

My father, even the hunted deer will spurn the pursuer 
of her fawn ! She presents her impotent brov/ to the hunt- 
er in protection of her offspring ; but me, your child, you 
would deprive of life — and for what ? Is it for any crime 
• of my own ? Is it for want of affection for you ? Or am I 
unkind to our people ? No ! It is for nothing I have done ! 
But you wish mo to commit a crime the most revolting! 
You wish m3 to debase and render myself unworthy of life 
— to purchase a few years of miserable existence ! I scorn 
such unworthy artifices ! I would hate myself and be hated 
'by our people ! My life has ever been at your disposal ; 
Smt you approach not my husband so long as I havo tho 



AN INDIAN WITNB33. 13 

power to conceal him ! This is the proudest hour of my 
existence ; and happy am I, that ibrtuue has placed me in 
a situation to render assistance and protection to one that 
I am bound by so many ties to love, honor and cherish. 

You may say my husband has faults — it is not for his 
wife to see them. I am his partner, and, as such, am 
bound to conceal his imperfections as my own ; and I feel 
honored that I can^ in this manner, testify my regard for 
him, and show the confidence placed in me, is merited. 

If he has committed the crimes you speak of, there is a 
power above which can find and punish him. When God 
Becks the guilty, he docs not place a deadly weapon to tho 
breast cf a wcman, and say, 

" Go find me a man, for I would kill him !" 

If you seek the life of my husband, do not ask me to par- 
take with you in the crime. Let these whom he has injur- 
ed, seek redress. I have received nought but kindness 
from him, and why should I seek his destruction ? But, 
supposing he had ever used me unkindly — now is the time 
it should be forgotten. 

No human being is perfect — -God alone is faultless ! 
Neither you nor the enemies of my husband know the cau- 
ses which led him to the act you impute to him* God 
knov.'s, and vengeance is his ; and we should be content for 
him to do justice, without usurping his authority. 

You tell me of the degradation of our people — wherein 
is my husband in fiiult for that? 

You impute, as a crime to him, that the whites have 
wronged us. Were we never wronged by any but the 
whites ? Have no other nations made war upon us ; des- 
troyed our cornfields ; our fisheries, and our hunting ? and 
have we not done the same ? Have not the Winnebagoes 
oppressed the Sacs and Foxes, the Otowas, or any nation 
whom we thought our inferiors. 

How often has my father gone to the wars for the pur- 
pose of exterminating some neighboring people ! as well 
may you consider that a fault of mine. I am as much ac- 
countable for those depredations, as my husband is for those 
of the whites. 



16 AN INDIAN WITNESS. 

If the white men have wronged us, those who have done 
the injustice, are to blame for the offence. If our nation 
has become degraded, it is the fault of our people. Deliv- 
ering my husband into hands of those who will take his 
life, will neither redress the wrongs which the Indians have 
suffered from the whites, nor retrieve our condition. 

The man whom I have selected for my partner and pro- 
tector, is dearer than life. You may execute vengeance on 
me, for I shall not reveal the place of his concealment. 
Had I a thousand lives to sacrifice, they would be cheer- 
fully given rather than betray him. 

I fear death less than dishonor. 

The time*may come, when you, while passing my grave, 
will remember the great crime you are about to commit. 

As I ask no mercy for myself, let me ask one favor. It 
is all I ask, and I shall die contented. You are welcome to 
my life, if you will spare that child ! I beseech you by all 
the affections you have ever borne towards me — by the dy- 
ing breath of its mother to protect that child ! I implore 
you by the affinity which it bears to you,- and the innocent 
smiles with which it regards you, to remember the off- 
spring of your daughter.* I have nothing more to say. — 
My life is at your disposal." 

By a sign from the old chief, the young Indian took up 
the rifle and presented the muzzle to her breast, while she, 
turning towards him, opened the bosom of her dress, when 
one more appeal was made ; but she persisted in her former 
determination. 

The old chief becomingfuUy satisfied that she would not 
disclose the hiding-place of her husband, was too true to 
his promise — he gave the word — the short sharp report of 
the rifle — she fell and expired without a groan — a martyr 
of constancy to a murderer. 

Notwithstanding the solicitude of the Indian woman to 
conceal her liusband, he was afterwards taken by the In- 
dians, and surrendered to the whites for trial — ^but acquit- 
ted, probably, for the want of proper management in ob- 
taining competent witnesses. 



IMPORTAIXT 

INDIAN manuscripts; 

■If 

PART SECOND, 

Translated by I.. S. BACKUS, 

Professor of the Sign Language, Editor of the 
Canajoharie Radii, 6cc, 

The principal events herein recorded cuy) 
true. 

The murder is yet remembered by many 
persons. One ojf the actors was put upon 
his trial for the murder of his partner at 
Prairie du Chien and was acquitted. 

The violent, and we might almost say, in- 
sane attachment, which the Indian Woman 
has for the white man who has honored her 
with the title of wife, is neither new, nor . is 
it unnatural as may be seen by the sequel 



CANAJOHARIE, N, Y. : 

Printed and Sold by the Author. 

1840. 



» f*^^ 


W1 Pol"^ 


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p^-.^. 


v*?- 





INTRODUCTION. 

In the first part we informed the reader, we should pub- 
lish an engraving of the original documents which form 
these disclosures, and after this lapse of tjfeie we have re- 
deemed the pledge. ^ ^ 

It may not occur to the reader at the first glance the im- 
portant interest of this manuscript to the public — eyen the 
small portion v^^hich we have transcribed. To the linguist 
it offers a wide field of speculation. 

The efforts of the mind to communicate important events 
to distant friends is here developed. It shows how the sav- 
age v/hen driven by necessity, can perpetuate a record ol" 
his actions, or those of his enemies in characteristic emb- 
lems. To the antiquarian, even this small scrap must prove 
a source of gratification. In this he will see the hieroglyph- 
ics of the Egyptians; he will assimilate the wood engra- 
ving of the Chinese to the etching on the tree. The ima- 
gination will be carried back to the time when the nations 
of this country recorded the deeds of their chiefs and war- 
riors in a symbolical language. 

A written language is one of the first signs of the prog- 
ress of a nation to civization ; and when a people are re- 
trogading to barbarity, it is their learning which first suffers 
revolutions — obscurity and final extinction. 

We are informed that several specimens of pictorial lan- 
guage are found with the Western Indians^ and that the 
declaration of v/ar between the United States and Great 
Britain in 1S12, was etched en trees in such characters 
that the Indians from Lake Erie to the Falls of St. Antho- 
ny, not only knew the belligerent attitude of the two na- 
tions ; but a faithful record of the causes which were sup- 
posed to lead to the rupture, was communicated therewith. 
Those records v/ere placed in the principal places and re- 
sorts where the Indians were known to congregate ; thus 
the portage of the Wisconsin where this scrap we publish 
was taken, is a point eminently qualified for the deposite of 
important information — at that place, the Fox river ap- 



IXTEODUCTIOIS. 3 

proachcs Mithin less than a mile of the Wisconsin, and 
both diverging in different directions—one discharging its 
waters into the Gulf of Mexico, via. the .Mississippi, and 
the otiier into the St. Lawrence by the lakes. It was a 
tlioroiighfarc in which the nations were expected to pass 
daily going in every direction. How important w^as it 
then that each member of the tribe should be informed of 
tiie danger and the attendant circumstances which encom- 
passed them ! Had they no knov.ledge of symbolic com- 
munication, necessity would drive them into some similar 
nieasure. 

To the admirers of romantic incidents, this story exem, 
plifies what has often been asserted, that " truth is stranger 
than fiction ;" and it may bring to viev/ in faint outlines 
the peculiar characteristics of singular beings which pioneer 
the "great west." The traders and trappers are men of 
no ordinary capacity — generally they compose a body of 
desperate characters, who have left the boon of civilization 
cither to escape the penalty of the law's, or find the field of 
enterprize too circumscribed for their ambition. Some, 
too, are inveigled into the " Indian country" by the hopes 
of an enjoyment of independent indolence, which thev 
soon find is imaginary — as the most tyranical of masters 
they carry wdth them — their stomachs ! Those persons 
find when it is too late, that more industry must be exert- 
ed to live in that primitive state, than in civilized society, 
and they turn out a set of misanthropic desperadoes, seek- 
ing by every means to cheat the natives or such unsop^ 
histicated white men as come within their reach to assist 
them in dragging out a miserable existence. Those men, 
generally, demean themselves below the savages, and live 
near them, or become a kind of supernumerary interpret- 
ers — carriers, or servants«to the trading establishments. 

It is the Indian trader that is the lion of the forest. 
Among his semi-barbarian confederates and savage custom- 
ers, he is looked up to as the .dispenser of justice — the. 
provider of their necessaries ; and as the Indians have no\\ 
become degraded — an indispensible personage amongst 
them. — Without him thov could neither feed nor clothe 



4 INTRODUCTION. 

themselves ; and his profits arc proportioned to the confi- 
dence which the natives place in him ; consequently, there 
is nothing to fear but competition from the white man. 

As the profits are enormous, both on the goods which 
they sell, and the furs which they receive in payment, they 
afford a considerable credit to those Indians with whom 
they place confidence, and endure much inconvenience, 
not only from the isolated condition which they are placed, 
but the vexatious community, that forms their customers 
must be endured with a patience and forbearance, which 
would become a martyr. Consequently, a long acqain- 
tance is of great importance to know where confidence 
may be placed, and on whom his rigid authority and disci- 
phne is to be exerted. 

The first object which a trader has in view and one in- 
dispensible, is to conciliate, and if possible, to get the friend- 
ship of the chief men or leaders of the tribe. That act is 
paramount to the payments of custom-house duties, which, 
if neglected, he might, when he least expected it, find his 
goods all confiscated. 

The next object with the politic Indian trader is a wife 
from among the most powerful of Jthe Indian people. He 
gets by her influence in the tribe, and the most firm at- 
tachment known to the human breast. 

The wife of an Indian is a slave under the most tyrani- 
cal of masters. When the Indian woman has the fortune 
to put herself under the protection of a white man, she 
feels her emancipation in every form. She witnesses the 
degradation of her kindred ; and her own exalted happiness. 
That those Indian women should prove true to the white 
man is no more than would be expected — that springs 
from one of the noblest virtues implanted in the human 
breast — gratitude. 

Hence, Indian traders have found their interest prompt- 
ed them to marry a woman as nearly connected with the 
chiefs or influential men as possible ; and when they wish- 
ed messages communicated to any of the different posts 
or stations if it was of great importance, they invariably 
despatched their wives on the mission — which they sue- 



INTRODUCTION. 5 

cessfully execute, or perish in the attempt. Thus a 
trader would despatch as a messenger from Mackinaw to 
Prairie du Chien — to St. Peters, or even the head waters 
of the Missouri or Columbia rivers — a lone Indian woman, 
who had to pass among strange tribes — known enemies 
and invidious rival traders — desolate countries and wild 
beasts, such as very few white men would dare encounter ; 
and they have been known to return after years' captivity 
among enemies, without once betraying their trust. 



The following cut is a fac-simile of an etching on the 
bark of a tree, situated at the portage of the Wisconsin, 
near where Fort Winnebago now stands. It was in a con- 
spicuous place, and duplicates were afterwards found in 
several places throughout the Winnebago nation. 

The incidents to which this disclosure relates, were detail, 
ed to the author of this article by a person who was pres. 
ent during the interview of the father with his daughter, 
when he demanded either she should discover where her 
iiusband was concealed, or suffer death ! 



Indian Manuiscript 




TKARISLrATIOM. 

1. On the sixth day of the moon or July 'id. 

2. At ten o'clock. 

o. The white men who have been trading at the Fen 
Lakes, quarrelled. 

4. The white man killed his brollicr. 

5. The white man will use deception and bhnd our exes. 
G. His wife has concealed him. 

7. The white men are executing vengeance uf>on us, and 
mean to exterminate \is from the land — or strike tlie In- 
dians to the earth. 



INDIAN MANUSCRIPT. 7 

Translator's Note. — From the above translation wo 
find the facts bear us out fully in the interpretation made 
above. The question may be asked how we arrive at the 
deductions urged as an explanation of the hieroglyphics ? 

The exact time is designated by a stake stuck in the 
ground, as represented at the bottom of the plate, that 
"points directly" to the place the sun v/as in the 
heavens which gives the time of day, viz. : 10 o'clock, 
when the murder was perpetrated. 

On that inclined stake is the figure of the moon with the 
marks which give her age. That definitely gives a date 
to the transaction viz. : July 2d. 

At the top of the cut a house with four lakes are shown 
which gives the location ; consequently, the names of the 
occupants and the particular form of the hut shows it to 
belong to the whites. 

The next figure as we proceed downward is the hat 
and SWORD, which readily conveys the idea that white 
men are in deadly strife and one has the victory. 

The hand and the eye. By this figure we learn most 
forcibly that an attempt was made at deception, which 
supposition is fully warranted by subsequent disclosures. 

i'he next figure is the woman hiding the hat, which in 
the simple language of the natives showed by her flowing 
hair that she was a wife and her posture over the hat 
showed she was concealing her husband. 

The next and last figure is the sword over the bow. By 
that we learn that the Indians are about to be extermina- 
ted by the whites, as the bow represents the natives, and 
the sword the long knives or whites. 



This cut or figure which we have transcribed, and ofier- 
ed the above as a translation, was prominently etched on 
the smoothed surface of a small tree, near the Indian trail 
which the Indians were daily in the habit of passing. 

At a short distance from this primitive telegraph, a fire 
was kindled in an old tree for an index or a beacon to at- 
tract the attention of the passing native. 

The intense interest which this document excited, can 



8 INDtAN MAlS'USCRtPT. 

only be imagined by those acquainted with the conditiou 
of the Indians. They knew how this would affect them as 
a nation : they knew the people which surrounded them — 
and the object that would induce the whites to impute any 
crime to them for the purpose of exciting a spirit of re- 
venge for the pretext of wresting from the rightful owners 
of the soil — 'a possession which was so much coveted, yet 
had never been peaceably obtained. 

All that section of country bordering on on the Wiscon- 
sin and extending from the Mississippi to the great lakes, 
had belonged to the Winnebagoes, and held peaceably by 
them until within a few years previous to this occurrence, 
when the whites had discovered that this section of coun- 
try contained the most valuable lead mines in the world, 
and were using every means to dispossess them. 

The whites were composed of squatters, and men of des- 
perate character. What cared they for honor or integrity? 
They belonged to no country! Many of them if caught 
within the pale of the laws, would suffer its penalties. — 
What were the rights of the Indians to them? Their ob- 
ject was money ! The surest and readiest method of ob- 
taining their wishes was to create as much excitement as 
possible ; and could they confirm the story, (which had 
already gained considerable credence,) that the Indians 
Had killed both of the traders at the Four Lakes ; 
THE WHOLE AMERICAN pcoplc would havc asserted the 
quarrel and speedily revenge the outrage by a war which 
w^ould end in a treaty and a concession of the land whirl i 
these vagabond squatters were so anxious to obtain posses- 
sion. 

Those that knew the truth, and were aware that one of 
the traders had murdered his partner, could gain nothinrr 
by circulating the report ; while if the guilt could be placed 
on the Indians ; it would add another item to the long ac- 
count, and furnish additional proof why the natives should 
be dispossessed. 

The effect of this information upon the Indians, Mas lo 
create the greatest consternation. They had come in pos^ 
session of the truthj and not only knew who was the mur- 



INDIAN MANUSCRIPT. ^^ 

•vit'i-ei, but tlic disastrous effects, wliich tlie slander would 
liave, if sufiered to be affixed on the nation. Although they 
might affirm their innocence ; yet it would not be noticed, 
"^^riie dead body of one of the traders was to be found in his 
cabin which was surrounded by Indians ; many of whom 
were in the daily habit of visiting the premises of the de- 
ceased and the story would soon gain credence, and their 
guilt I'ully established, when left to be judged by those who 
Avished it might be so- Notwithstanding one alternative, 
and one only remained to be tried to convince the whites 
of their innocence, viz. : to produce the murderer, and 
prove him guilty who they knew was the partner of the 
deceased ; and as he had taken refuge in their nation, it 
was of vital importance that the fugitive should be taken, 
and their innocence established. 

Those simple sons of the forest knew the important bear- 
ing which the slander imputed to them would have on their 
destiny — and trembled for tlie result. The vindictive cha- 
racter of the whites and their superior facilities in executing 
their designs ; yet they felt disposed to make every eflbrt 
to place the guilt where it properly belonged viz : upon Pet- 
vAi McNally, wlio had murdered his IViend and partner, 
James Bawnu^n. 

Yet one great olxstacle remained : 

Tlie whites would not believe but a double murder liad 
been committed, and McNally equally a victim with liis 
partner, until his body was produced either dead or alive. 

In the present condition this could not be easily effected. 
MciNaliy had married and otherwise connected liimself 
with the princi{»al cliiefs of the Winnebago tribe. He had 
secured the friendsbip of nund)erless persons bokaiging to 
tlie nation, which he nov/ looked upon as his protectors : — 
and, above all, he was secreted by his wiie and vlxcvAk 
With such confidants as she liNEW vvould Eot betray the 
trust imposed in them. 

In this condition what was to be done ? 

A powerful nation encircled them who were brrioding o- 
ver an awful tragedy which they wei-c willing to believe 
was committed by the Indians ; and there was no ctlicr 



10 AN INDIAN WITNESS. 

resort but to produce the real murderer to shew their inno- 
cence. As they dreaded immediate vengeance, and to put 
all their countrymen in possession of the facts, not only was 
it important to place them on the defence, but to bring the 
felon forward and place in its true light the nature of the 
transaction in the eyes of their vindictive neighbors ; and 
thus render their, innocence manifest. 

Hence, the cause why they sliould have attempted the 
rude telegraph we have copied which was calculated 
to transmit the important information throughout the na- 
tion, and awaken them to a sense of their danger. 

This " manuscript" document was otherwise important 
as an advertisement or warrant to cause the arrest of the 
liomocide ; and had the fugitive no friends amongst the In- 
dians, tlicy would have immediately surrendered him to 
justice, and exculpated themselves fron suspicions, and 
thus explained the mystery. 

The Indians had learned before the danger of harboring 
felons ; and this man knew their character too well to trust 
himself in their power but for one which he kneic could nei- 
ther be intimidated by fear, or purchased by v/ealth to be- 
tray him. 

AX INDIAN WITNESS. 

Upon ihe banlis of the Wisconsin there was a small 
groupe of Indians, consisting of an aged man who wore the 
hahihmonts of a chief; two young Imuans, an old squa^A", 
and a y'oung Lidian woman, dressed in the fashion of the 
whites, who bore in her arms a child which appeared near 
tho age of one year. The featin-os of the child betrayed 
a. mixture of the European wish the aborigiaal blood ; and 
it seemed to exhibit a chcerruilness entirely at variance with 
liic other part of the groupe, who showed a gloomy cast of 
tV'atures, uncommon, even to native Americans. It was 
n^adily discovered that soma unpleasant ceremony was a- 
boiit to take place. 

The old man motioned to the young woman to com*^ 
near him, who advanced within a a few yards — when a ri- 
de was produced and thoroughly cxamiiKjd ; the formalities 



AN INDIAN WITNESS. 11 

of cieansing the gun and adjusting the flint was performed, 
when a charge of powder and ball was placed in it, wliilc 
the greatest care w^is taken to show the woman that those 
preparations were perfect and properly arranged. 

While these death-like indications were in progress, the 
stern eye and rigid features of the father, (tcr sucli the 
chief proved to be) appeared resolved upon some desperate 
act which called the attention of all the attendants except 
the woman and child : the former stood before him with a 
ocuntenance resigned : she fixed her eye upon the child, 
and totally disdained to bestow the least notice on the prep- 
arations of the rifle, althougji it was readily discovered that 
it was to intimidate her that so much ceremonv was observ- 
ed ii charging the piece. 

After a few moments spent in silent conicmplation of 
the Woman, the chief advanced and motioned to take the 
child, when she bestowed a single kiss upon its forehead, 
and advanced to a small bush near by, placedfit upon the 
ground, and plucked seme branches which grew near — col- 
lected a few flowers and such trifles as could readily be ob- 
taincd, placed them in the hands of the child, resumed her 
place before her father, to all appearance, the least aifected 
of the party. The rifle was at this juncture, resting against 
a tree ; but when the woman had disposed of the child, the 
fdtlier took it in his liands, assured himself that it v»as in 
good condition ; he ga\'e it to one of the attendants, v.ho 
mimediately pointed it towards the woman's breast, only a 
few yards distant ; and the sudden click of the lock gave 
notice of the last act of preparaiioa f n* the c'ii^charge of ih;^ 
gvm. 

Few ears can iujmoveably receive the sharp sc-.md Avhicli 
IS made by lire-arms in the preparatory snap of the lock 
when the range of its barrel is brought" to bear upon the 
ixxly ; but this woman heeded it not, although not a per- 
son present but shuddered in expectation of the report and 
the writhing victim : yet this woman showed no outward 
signs that those preparations implicated her existence, al- 
though, she hieic tlie knell for her earthly departure had 
sounded ; and, in nil probabilify, an instant niore and her 



12 AN INDIAIV WITNESS. 

fate would be irrevocably sealed. Yet she heeded not all 
this : her eyes were bent upon the child, showing with ma- 
ternal glances, a recognition of its innocent amusement and 
her scorn for their preparations. 

At length, the old chief finding the young woman could 
not be intimidated by the rifle being presented to her breast, 
he took it from the young Indian, and, advancing with a 
stern countenance, he addressed her in language, as fol- 
lows : — 

•' My daughter, I have now come to the determination, 
that only on one condition will you ever move from this 
place alive ! However unpleasant it may be, I feel duty 
calls upon me to seek your life, unless you point to me the 
place where McNally, your husband, is concealed ! He is 
a murderer ! He hns arisen upon his brother — and taken 
his life ! and not content with slaying his comrade, he de- 
ceives his countrymen, and throws the disgrace ut). 
on the innocent Indians ; and while our friends are hunted 
in the prairies like the deer, as the assassin of Bamer, you 
liave concealed him — you connived at his crime, and are e- 
qually cr more guilty, as you see by that infamous decep- 
tion no quarter is shown our people by the merciless intru- 
ders upon the lands of the red men ; but they rejoice at a pre- 
text to kill and destroy the friendless Indians that tiiey may 
occupy the lands, and drive us from the mce of the earth. 

" My child, it grieves mo, but I am under the stern ne- 
cassity of requiring this sacrifice. You.must comply. You 
must show the lurking-})lace of your husband, or your life 
rnusl pay tlie forfeit. Oiu- people demand it, and justly too, 
that you shall show ^^here the nnn-derer is concealed. 

" Wliat have the white men done since their first landing 
in this happy country ? What has become of the towns 
and villages of the red men who once lived here ? Where 
arc the nations that once inhabited this country ? Wlio' 
has been the enemy of the red men, nnd have come here 
and robbed us of our lands — made wars upon us, even to 
(extermination ; and brought vices which were unknown to 
us before ? Sought by dissentions to divide and destroy us, 
who had never known or injured them — and arc not yet 



AN INDIAN WITNESS, 13 

contented but commit crimes among themselves ; and 
strive with a fiendish cunning to throw the disgrace upon 
us that they may have some pretext for continuing their 
murders and robberies upon us. What chance have we for 
justice ? Under what disadvantages do we not labor. If 
an Indian kills or robs a white man, in a few days the sto- 
ry is printed in thousands of places, and is known to all 
their people : — revenge is in their power, and none durst 
raise an arm to avert their dreaded resistance ; but if the 
poor Indian is killed, would they believe or render justice to 
his friends or relatives ? Would they give up the murderer 
to be dealt with according to the usages of our nation ? 
No ! They would insult the emissaries of justice with, 

" Go away, you are an Indian !" 

" My daughter the wrongs which we sustain from the 
whites are many. They force us from our hunting grounds, 
from our mines, our corn fields, and our fisheries. Is that 
done because they have none ? Have they not posses- 
sion of all the country from the sea to the Mississippi ? and 
yet they wish for more — and they want all — that the Indians 
may have none. They have succeeded in debasing us 
below the brutes of the forest, and now they wish to exter- 
minate us. They are not satisfied with the effect of the 
vices which are introduced amongst us — that mode of des- 
truction is too tardy — wars, famine and persecution must 
be added, and those destroyers of your people, your friends 
and relatives you strive to befriend and exculpate from 
crimes which, you know they are guilty of committing. 

Your husband brought whiskey in our nation — when the 
Indian drank of it he became addicted to its use, and then 
became a vagabond on the earth ; yet you wish to preserve 
his life, that he may bring more misery upon our nation. 

" Why do you wish to conceal the man that would mur- 
der his partner ? Are you not in danger of falling beneath 
his vengeance ? The man that would kill his friend and 
partner, only waits for an opportunity to destroy his wife. 
Such persons have no love nor affection for their kindred — 
even the meanest reptile that crawls upon the earth, has 
more fellow-feeling — for they burrow together in harmony. 



14 AN INDIAN WITNESS. 

If you have no regard for yourself, you owe some respect 
to our nation : and, so long as he is concealed amongst us, 
the whites will ascribe the murder of both to the Indians — 
and will they be idle ? Will they not take vengeance on 
every one they can find ? Hov/ many have already fallen 
before their hunters, we know not. The time is precious: 
we know not what plans they are forming to destroy us ; 
yet, by disclosing where he is^ we shall avert the calamity. 
By concealing him, you show contempt for your nation 
and relatives ; as the white men will believe we have mur- 
dered both th.Q traders, and will punish the innocent for 
protecting the guilty. 

"I seek not your life ; — our people do not demand it ; 
but, w^iih justice, they ask you to deliver them from the ig- 
nomlDy and danger which the enraged w^iites will visit up- 
on them, if you persist in concealing the murderer. 

'' My daughter, there is no alternative : our chiefs in 
council demand the murderer, not your life but your father 
thinks if you prefer the society of a villain to your kin- 
dred, you are unworthy of his protection. 

" Therefore prepare and decide immediately : and do 
not delay until too late, as you may rely upon the truth of 
our assertions." 

The old chief called upon her in the most affeciionato 
terms to comply, and surrender her husband ; but she reject- 
ed with scorn ail such overtures. Stepping out before them, 
she spoke in real native eloquence, to the following cfiect. 

My father, even the hunted deer will spurn the pursuer 
of her fawn ! She presents her impotent brow to the hunt- 
er in protection of her offspring ; but me, your child, you 
would deprive of life — and for what ? Is it for any crime 
of my own ? Is it for want of affection for you ? Or am I 
unkind to our people ? No ! It is for nothing / have done ! 
I5ut you wish me to commit a crime the most revolting! 
You wish me to debase and render myself unworthy of life 
— to purchase a few years of miserable existence ! I scorn 
such unworthy artifices ! I would hate myself and be hated 
by our people ! My life has ever been at your dispotial ; 
))ut you approach not my husband so long as I have the 



AN INDIAN WITNESS. 15 

I'ower to conceal him! This is the proudest hour of uiy 
existence ; and happy am I5 that fortune has placed me in 
;i situation to render assistance and protection to one that 
1 am bound by so many ties to love, honor and cherish. 

You may say my husband has faults — it is not for iiis 
Vvifc to see them. I am his partner, and, as such, am 
bound to conceal his imperfections as my own ; and 1 feci 
honored that I can, in this manner, testify my regard for 
!iim, and show the confidence placed in me, is merited. 

If he has committed the crimes you sneak of, there is a 
power above which can find and punish him. When God 
seeks the guilty, he does not pla,ce a deadly weapon to the 
breast cf a woman, and say, 

" Go find me a man, for I would kill him !" 

If you seek the life of my husband, do not ask me to par- 
take with you in the crime. Let those whom he has injur- 
ed, seek redress. I have received nought but kindness' 
from him, and why should I seek his destruction ? But, 
supposing he had ever used me unkindly — noio is the time 
it should be forgotten. 

No human being is perfect — God alone is faultless ! 
Neither you nor the enemies of my husband know the cau- 
ses which led him to the act you impute to him* God 
knows^ and vengeance is his ; and we should be content for 
him to do justice, without usurping his authority. 

You tell me of the degradation of our people — wherein 
is my husband in fault for that ? 

You impute, as a crime to him, that the whites have 
wronged us. Were we never wronged by any but the 
whites ? Have no other nations made war upon us ; des- 
troyed our cornfields ; our fisheries, and our hunting ? and 
have we not done the same ? Have not the Wlnnebagocs 
oppressed the Sacs and Foxes, the Otovras, or any nation 
whom we thought our inferiors. 

How often has my father gone to the wars for the pur- 
[)ose of exterminating some neighboring people ! as well 
may you consider that a fault of mine. I am as much ac- 
countable for those depredations, as my husband is for those 
of the whites. 



16 AN INDIAN' WITNESS. 

It* the white men have wronged us, those who have done 
the injustice, arc to blame for the ofTence. It' our nation 
has become degraded, it is the fault of our people. Deliv- 
ering my husband into hands of those who will take his 
life, will neither redress the wrongs which the Indians ha\'e 
suffered from the whites, nor retrieve our condition. 

The man whom I have selected for my partner and pro- 
tector, is dearer than life. You may execute vengeance on 
me, for I shall not reveal the place of his concealment. 
Had I a thousand lives to sacrifice, they would be cheer- 
fully given rather than betray him. 

I fear death less than dishonor. 

The time may come, when yoUf while passing my grave, 
will remember the great crime you are about to commit. 

As I ask no mercy for myself, let me ask one favor. It 
i{? all I ask, and I shall die contented. You are welcome to 
my life, if you will spare that child ! I beseech you by all 
the affections you have ever borne towards me — by the dy- 
ing breath of its mother to protect that child ! I implore 
you by the affinity which it bears to you^ and the innocent 
smiles with which it regards you, to remember the ofl^- 
spring of your daughter. I have nothing more to say. — 
My life is at your disposal." 

By a sign from the old chief, the young Indian took up 
the riffe and presented the muzzle to her breast, while she, 
turning towards him, opened the bosom of her dress, when 
one more appeal was made ; but she persisted in her former 
determination. 

The old chief becomingfully satisfied that she would not 
disclose the hiding-place of her husband, was too true to 
his promise — he gave the word — the short sharp report of 
the riffe — she fell and expired without a groan — a martyr 
of constancy to a murderer. 

Notwithstanding the solicitude of the Indian woman to 
conceal her husband, he was afterwards taken by the In^ 
dians, and surroidered to the whites for trial — but acquit- 
ted, probably, for the want of proper management in ob- 
taining competent witnesses. 

103 W 



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